Anna and the king

It has very little to do with the classic, The King and I. The resemblance ends with an Englishwoman coming to Siam to teach the King's son. The film has been inspired by the true story of Anne Leonowens and King Monkut of Siam, just like the black and white classic. The similarity ends there.

Jodie Foster is a big disappointment as the propah Englishwoman. She doesn't fit into the period drama and comes across as wooden in a lot of scenes. On the other hand, Chow Yun-Fat as King Monkut is very good. He looks royal, has a mobile face and plays king to the tee. Unfortunately, there is not much chemistry happening between the two. Foster looks too old and is just not cut out to play an English lady.

Bottomline, the movie is just about seeing Yun-Fat and the scenic beaches and quaint villages of Malaysia.

ANURADHA NAGARAJ

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